The Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) is calling for 2 GW of new wind energy procurement in Ontario between 2014 and 2018. Looking beyond 2018, the association also wants the provincial government to create a long-term target that wind power meet at least 15% of electricity demand by 2031.

As announced in July, the Ontario Ministry of Energy is currently reviewing the province's long-term energy plan (LTEP). The government has also made changes to its feed-in tariff program, including replacing the FIT for large-scale renewable energy projects with a competitive procurement process - a move that has introduced uncertainty for some Ontario wind stakeholders.

On Sept. 16, CanWEA officially submitted its new recommendations for the LTEP review to the Ministry of Energy. Among the group’s suggestions is that Ontario procure 450 MW of wind in 2014, followed by 450 MW in 2015, 450 MW in 2016, 550 MW in 2017 and 550 MW in 2018.

“Today, Ontario has a broad range of options for new electricity generation but few that match the requirement for affordability, economic development potential, environmental sustainability, diversification, reliability and rate base value as compellingly as wind energy,” states CanWEA President Robert Hornung.

“In addition, new wind energy development will continue to provide Ontario’s wind energy supply and value chains with a core domestic market that will allow it to maintain and build upon its current investments in Ontario’s green energy economy,” he continues.

CanWEA says it is imperative that wind energy opportunities are further committed to an updated LITP that provides stable long-term targets for wind energy procurement in the province of Ontario.